Spalding drink-driver's third conviction in nine years

A Spalding man, appearing in court for a drink driving offence for the third time in nine years, told a court he would not be driving again and would not buy another car - but then asked the Boston magistrates to be allowed to take the course that would reduce his driving ban.

Svajunas Bagdonavicius (47), of Holyrood Walk, admitted failing to provide a breath test for analysis after he was arrested by police on suspicion of drunk driving on February 15.

Marie Stace, prosecuting yesterday (Wednesday), said police found Bagdonavicius with his Mazda car on its side in a dyke in Counter Drain Drove at 3.40pm, after having been seen leaving work with a bottle of vodka in the car and being witnessed driving while drinking the alcohol.

He refused to give a breath test because he told police he had been drinking in the car.

The court heard that he had a similar conviction in 2014 and an excess alcohol driving conviction in 2010.

In mitigation, Michael Alexander said Bagdonavicius had been at work and had admitted he had been drinking, which was why he had refused the breath test.

“He says he will not drive again,” he told the magistrates, “as he accepts there is a risk of causing himself or others injuries.

“He is not going to buy another car.”

But when the magistrates asked if he wanted to be allowed to take the drink drivers' rehabilitation course, which reduces the period of the ban by a quarter, he said he would.

However, banning him for three years, they refused to offer him the course, and also fined him £250 and £115 in costs and charges.